Greatest Warriors of the Westeros- #9 Gregor Clegane, The Mountain

The Mountain by Amok ©

Update (July 2026): (Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.

With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)

The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.   

Wait, what’s this I hear you say? The Mountain That Rides is at #9 of the countdown of the Greatest Warriors of Westeros? Preposterous! How can this be? He is a monster of a man, freakishly strong and cruel!

I’m glad you asked, because when looked at from just the surface, how could anyone beat out the Mountain right? Well, if nothing else, I'm sure the Red Viper of Dorne might have some thoughts on the matter.

#9-Gregor Clegane, The Mountain that Rides

Few names inspire more dread in Westeros than Gregor Clegane. Standing nearly seven feet tall and weighing over three hundred pounds, the Mountain is a massive, ill-tempered brute wrapped in black armor and wielding an enormous greatsword. He is ruthless in the purest sense of the word: the kind of man who gives ruthlessness a bad name.

His atrocities speak for themselves. After the Sack of King’s Landing, he raped Elia of Dorne and murdered her infant son by smashing the child against a wall. He burned his younger brother Sandor’s face as a child simply for playing with one of his toys. Rumors persist that he murdered several members of his own family to consolidate power. Gregor is not merely violent; he is a monster.

Weapon of Fear Gregor’s greatest advantage is terror. Opponents often know they are doomed before the first blow lands. Encased in heavy plate and driven by unrelenting rage, he is difficult to stop on the battlefield. It is telling that the few who show no fear of him stand out—most notably Prince Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne. Before their fateful duel, Oberyn calmly told his lover, “No, I’m going to kill that,” underscoring both his confidence and Gregor’s reputation.

When the fear and brute strength are stripped away, what remains is a man reputed to be the strongest in the Seven Kingdoms and a formidable (if lumbering) warrior. Oberyn exploited that very lack of agility in their duel, using speed and precision to deadly effect despite Gregor’s raw power. 

Battlefield Role and Temperament During the War of the Five Kings, Gregor led brutal raids across the Riverlands and the Trident. While these campaigns bordered on outright brigandage, they demonstrated his effectiveness as a field commander under Tywin Lannister’s direction. 

His band of followers known as the Mountain's Men aren't much better than thier foul-tempered master. More on them in a future series of posts.

He is vengeful to a fault: at the Tourney of the Hand, he attempted to kill Knight of Flowers for besting him in the joust, only stopped by the intervention of his brother, the Hound.

Gregor is said to fear nothing and to be consumed by nothing but rage. He serves a clear narrative purpose in the story: the embodiment of the monster that even noble lords sometimes require. As Tywin Lannister himself might acknowledge, “Every great house needs its monster.”

A curious aspect of Gregor’s condition is that it may not be entirely his fault. From the onset of his abnormal growth, he has suffered massive headaches to the point where he has to rely on the milk of the poppy to dull the pain. One wonders whether this unrelenting pain, combined with a body that never stopped growing—fuels the malice and rage that define him. While this does not excuse his behavior in the slightest, it at least offers a partial explanation for the monster he became.

Final Ranking Thoughts There he stands, the Mountain That Rides at #9 on the list. The competition from here on out only gets fiercer, and Gregor’s combination of sheer physical dominance and unrelenting brutality earns him a hard-won place among Westeros’ most feared warriors.

But at the same time the warriors above show way more skill than his sheer brutality. The question is does skill win more than brawn, it likely does, if for no other reason than the Red Viper. 

The Greatest Warriors of the Westeros- #12 Bronn of the Blackwater

Bronn by Amok ©

Update (July 2026):

(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.

With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)

The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.   

Before diving in, I know there’s a large faction of readers who consider Bronn the greatest warrior in the entire series. I respectfully disagree, and the reasons are laid out below. Much of his popularity stems from the classic anti-hero appeal that dominates modern storytelling. Yes, he’s a sharp-tongued sellsword with undeniable charisma—but that doesn’t automatically make him the best.

As we move higher up this countdown, it becomes clear that Bronn would truly struggle against the elite tier (#1–4) and have a chance at the rest of the Top 10. That said, there are also readers who argue he doesn’t belong in the Top 20 at all. Read on and you’ll see why I believe he earns his place.

#12-Bronn 

The lean, mean, two-fisted sellsword of Westeros earns his spot on this list—and he earns it well.

We first meet Bronn in A Game of Thrones during Caetlyn Stark’s journey, when she brings Tyrion Lannister to the Eyrie for judgment. Ever the opportunist, Tyrion demands trial by combat. Bronn steps forward to champion him against Ser Vardis Egen, the captain of the Vale’s guard. In a display of practicality over chivalry, Bronn easily dispatches the heavily armored knight and wins Tyrion’s freedom. Later, he helps repel an assault by the Mountain Clans in the Mountains of the Moon, further proving his worth.

His sell-sword mentality is succinctly summed up after dispatching Ser Vardis.

Lysa Arryn: "You don't fight with honor."

Bronn: "No...He did." 

Strengths of a Survivor Bronn is not the strongest warrior in the series, nor is he necessarily the quickest. What sets him apart is his intelligence. He is one of the smartest fighters we meet—perhaps the smartest—because above all else, he survives. Bronn knows when to fight, how to fight, and—most importantly—when not to fight.

Only he and Oberyn Martell (the Red Viper) show no visible intimidation in the face of Gregor Clegane. Bronn even explains to Tyrion exactly how the Mountain could be beaten. Tellingly, he refuses to champion Tyrion a second time when the opponent is Gregor—leaving that honor (and the risk) to Oberyn. It’s not fear; there’s simply nothing in it for him. That mercenary calculus is Bronn’s greatest strength: he fights only when there is something tangible to gain.

Style and Practicality As a sellsword, Bronn fights light and agile, often in less armor than his opponents. He is comfortable with two weapons and is not above dirty tricks or pragmatism. Formality and knightly honor mean nothing to him. In that sense, he is the polar opposite of someone like Loras Tyrell, The Knight of Flowers.

So far in the books, Bronn has not faced truly dangerous opponents in single combat—foes who would truly test his limits. He is too smart for that. He picks his battles carefully, only engaging when the odds favor him and the reward is worth the risk.

At the same time he can be cocky when he knows he can beat someone. Case in point with the look he gives Meryn Trant (a composite of him and Ser Boros Blunt) in the the television series:

Tyrion: "Bronn, the next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him."

Battlefield Courage Bronn is undeniably brave, yet his powerful survival instinct makes him a fascinating case. At the Battle Blackwater (for which he would eventually be knighted) he could easily have slipped away. Instead, he fought well, leading sorties alongside the Hound. That decision speaks volumes about his loyalty when it suits him—and his ability to thrive in chaos.

Adding to the overall idea of the series of command experience being useful? Bronn replaces Janos Slynt as the Captain of the Gold Cloaks in King's Landing and does a good enough job under Tyrion when he was acting Hand. 

Final Thoughts I have nothing against Bronn. He is not the greatest warrior in Westeros, but he is almost certainly #1 or #2 when it comes to battlefield intelligence. He possesses a keen eye for an opponent’s weaknesses and the ruthlessness to exploit them. That combination is why he makes the Top 20. Against the absolute elite higher on this list, however, his smarts alone might not be enough to save him.

He's not the toughest warrior on the list, but the case can surely be made for being the smartest when it comes to combat. 

The Greatest Warriors of the Westeros- #7 Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon by Amok ©

Update (July 2026): (Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.

With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)

The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.   

Continuing, it’s time to add another warrior on the Top 20 countdown of the Greatest Warriors of Westeros in the Song of Ice and Fire. At #7 is Robert Baratheon: King, drunkard, and warrior. An absolute beast with his warhammer, and a monster on the Trident.

Let’s get something straight beforehand: it’s obvious that Robert Baratheon is ing Henry VIII I of England turned up to 11. It’s hardly a revelation. But one important note here: we are talking about Robert at his prime, not when he was the later king, grown down by years of kingship and warring with his wife Cersei.

Robert himself understood it best when talking to Ned in A Game of Thrones, about how he (paraphrasing) wishes he and Ned should become sellswords, drinking, whoring, and fighting across Essos.

In a way this parallels what Spock tells Kirk in Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan:

“If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny. Anything else is a waste of material.”

And so it was with Robert.

#7-Robert Baratheon

While other knights use sword and lance, Robert uses a hammer to utterly smash his foes into submission, or death, or both. This is no understatement. His hammer is massive and hard to wield for other men, yet in his prime he does it with ease. Presumably he’s trained in the others, but he really doesn’t need them. Want proof? Prince Rhaegar on the Trident — where Robert wrests the crown from the Targaryens — lies smashed to pieces at his feet.

While others might shrink from danger, he tackles it head on to the point of rash foolishness.

Living up to his family’s words “Ours is the Fury” is just part of his character. He’s as tempestuous as they come as the Lord of Storm’s End. Probably fitting that he should wed Cersei Lannister, who is as volatile as he. Anyone who can stand up to that… woman… is pretty damn tough.

The series of books that Martin writes all hinge on the The War of the Usurper, or Robert’s Rebellion as it is also known. It’s the focal point of “before” and “after.” It is the fact that many of the lords rise up in rebellion against the Mad King Aerys after his many atrocities — the leading noble lords and their sons (including Ned’s father and brother Brandon) — sets the stage for the events of the current timeline, culminating with Robert’s rise to king.

The fact that Robert is past his prime by the time of A Game of Thrones is doubly sad, as we see him as the hollow shell of what he once was and greatly unhappy for it. For him, striving for the crown was more of a challenge and more rewarding. Actually governing bores him, so he tells Ned as much in that “that damned chair will rub your ass raw.”

Of all the warriors in the book, Robert has probably fallen the farthest from what he once was. When he fought Prince Rhaegar he crushed his chest and armor, smashing the very ornamentation off of the Prince’s armor as well. And by all accounts Prince Rhaegar was a stout warrior. By the time of A Game of Thrones instead, we get a worn and spent Robert. So much so that Eddard can poke fun at him for getting fat, and Robert at himself telling Lancel Lannister to fetch the "breastplate stretcher" at the Tourney of the Hand.

Just like every character in Martin’s pantheon, Robert is flawed — but in his case, magnified. He is a drunk and above all a womanizer, sleeping with any woman around it seems. His bastards are numerous, his appetites legendary, but it’s clear that Robert was never cut out to be king. His kingship shows how far he has fallen, and it’s Robert’s death in A Game of Thrones that leads to the War of the Five Kings.

Robert makes the list at #7 as a powerful warrior in his prime and for being such a catalyst to the overall story. Robert was relentless. His power faded to the shell that we see him in before his untimely death. But in his prime? Robert was as fearsome as they come.

Of special note is his leadership. Throughout the list it serves as bonus and a tiebreaker of sorts. In that regard he rises to the top. He won a kingdom — hard to beat that.

The Greatest Warriors of the Westeros- #13 Brynden Tully, The Blackfish

The Blackfish by Amok ©

Update (July 2026): (Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.

With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)

Previous he had ranked #10 but as I expanded the list I revised him to his current position. 

The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.   

#13- Brynden Tully, "The Blackfish"

Few knights in Westeros embody stubborn honor and quiet competence quite like Ser Brynden Tully—the Blackfish.

The name originated as an insult from his older brother, Hoster Tully. Brynden turned the slight into a badge of pride, adopting the black fish as his personal sigil. By the time we meet him in A Game of Thrones, he has left the Riverlands and entered the service of House Arryn in the Vale.

Defender of Riverrun Brynden earns his place on this list not only for a lifetime of exploits, but for one standout moment: when Lannister forces besiege Riverrun, it is the Blackfish who holds the castle while his brother Lord Hoster lies dying in his bed.

In A Feast for Crows, Jaime Lannister rides out to parley. The Blackfish meets him coolly, largely unimpressed by the famous Kingslayer. While Jaime engages in banter, Brynden calmly sizes him up with barely a flicker of concern. That composure alone marks him as a badass. The Kingslayer—widely regarded as one of the finest swords in the realm—fails to intimidate him in the slightest. It is also worth noting that a young Jaime was inspired to become a knight after witnessing Brynden’s prowess in the War of the Ninepenny Kings.

The Blackfish is willing to let his nephew Edmure hang rather than yield, calmly calling the Lannisters’ bluff. In short, he bends the knee to no one.

The overall impression you get from Brynden is that he's the type of guy that if you ever get into a fight? You want him on your side because you know he isn't going to quit. 

Reputation and Resolve We see relatively few direct battle scenes featuring the Blackfish (here’s hoping for more in future books), yet everyone who speaks of him reaches the same conclusion: he is one of the finest knights and warriors in the Seven Kingdoms. His reputation stands alongside that of Ser Barristan Selmy.

Even after Robb Stark’s murder at the Red Wedding, Brynden refuses to surrender. He continues the fight long after many others would have yielded. When Riverrun is finally handed over, he makes a daring escape by swimming through the Water Gate rather than submit. If you looked up “uncompromising” in a dictionary, you would likely find the Blackfish’s face staring back at you.

Final Ranking Thoughts Ser Brynden Tully ranks at #13 on this list. He may be the most well-rounded knight in the series—skilled, respected, and utterly resolute. In a world full of larger-than-life warriors, the Blackfish proves that quiet competence and unbreakable will can be just as formidable.

Restless Rust Monster Games- WA2- Assault of the Hill Giant Raiders, a Free Module

 

Raiding and pillaging just for fun!

 

(Edit 7-6-26) This post has been rewritten to allow for the free download of one of my modules WA2- Assault of the Hill Giant Raiders, set in my campaign world. In the end I decided against becoming a published module writer and focused on other endeavors.

WA2- Assault of the Hill Giant Raiders can be downloaded here. 

Original Post

I've mentioned it a few times on various websites, but I've been ever so slowly expanding my written modules for 2nd edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. The ultimate goal of this is to get a number together for sale and make them available for print-on-demand at Lulu.

Eventually I think I might include some 1st edition ones as well but we'll have to see where this takes me first. One idea for 1st edition I've been mulling over is a Tiamat inspired adventure. Plus as time and creatively allows I'm re-writing the Planar Webs of Lolth (in place of Queen of the Demonweb Pits).

The Tiamat one could be sprawling and like the redo of the Webs is planar. Maybe I should key them as modules OP2 and OP3; after all I don't think there were any that I remember of after OP1...But I digress.

As of right now I've got my first one WA2 - Assault of the Hill Giant Raiders well underway, but at the rate I'm going it still could be a while. The reason it's WA2 and not WA1 is that WA1 is mammoth and is taking forever to write. What I need to do is focus and finish on something. WA2 is the closest to being done as I ran it in my 2nd Edition AD&D game a few months back. I'm at the point where the layout is largely ready and it's finally down to art being needed. And therein lies the tough part: As I've said at www.purpleworm.org (now mirrored here). I'm willing to meet an artist(s) in terms of "talking turkey", but the costs I've heard so far are way up there. 

Bear in mind this is an old school hobby individual (me), not a major, mid or even lower level publisher we are talking about.

In any event, keep an eye out for Restless Rust Monster Games in the future, but just don't hold your breath for things being quick unless I see a high level of demand.